Sheet clamping device



Oct. 13, 1953 w. F. GOUDIE 2,554,932

' SHEET CLAMPING DEVICE Filed oct. 5, 1948 2 shets-sheet l INVENToR.

Wayne F. Goudie Oct. 13, 1953 w. F. GOUDIE 2,654,932

SHEET CLAMPING DEVICE www mw fm@ yf f Patented ct. 13, A1,953

SHEET CL-A MPING "DEVICE Wayne F.fGcudl'e, iKenosha, Wis -as'signor to -Deyere Companys Racine, Wisi, a corporation of W isconsin 3 Claims.

l The 'lres'ent invention relates t'o a `sheet clamping device, vand "more particularly "to an 'im- 'proved far-rangement 'for clamping `a `stack of fsheets itc hold them against `relative movement {While `the edges are :coated iwith an adhesive itc "form ltablets, 'and/or while suitable holes are punched 'or drilled "throu'gh fthe sheets Tor re EAceiving fastening means or the like.

Various devices have "been employed hereto- 1lore for aligning Vand holding stacks of paper preparatory to cutting or gummin'g the edges to form pads, Athe latter operation often il"being 'termed "a 'padding or "tabbing operation. *Such L"devicesiiave beenicomplicated, fairly expensive and'generally-do not include all "of the facilities Trequired "to lperform a sheet tabbing operation orja "sheet punching operation.

Accordingly it is anobject of the present in- 1v'erition to provide an improved device `which may be -remployed Vfor sheet tabbing 'or punching orjbo'th A `It vis `'another "object of the `present invention to provide `va sheet 'padding or sheet tableting deviee Aincludinga novelarrangem'ent for clamp'- 'ing the Vsheets together `to facilitate `the "appli- 'cation Aof an adhesive, :glue or :cement at *the sdesir'edtime.

lIt 'is :another object 'of "the present invention `toprovide an improved device of "the character described which includes readily releasable 'means "for :holding the clamping head in any desired position including the position in "which a :substantial clamping "pressure is uniformly applied "to the sta'ked sheets or the like.

yL itll another Object O'f the lpresent irivn'tiph resides "in the (provision of "a "combined "'sheet tab- Ching and punching 'device fhavihgfan improved 'a'ial'lgerierit 'f parts suchthat 'the 'saine clamp- "in'g device 'may be readily employed for afpadding or tableting operation as well as 'for a 4p'iincliii1g or drilling operation.

Further 'objects and 4advantages of the present 'invention will become apparent as 'the 'following description proceeds, and the features ^o"f novelty which characterize the invention Vvvillbe 'pointed ot'with 'particularity in the claims annexed to and "forming a part of this specification.

lFor a better understanding of -the 4present invention reference 'may be had 'to the accom- "p'a'ying drawings in which:

IFig. 1 is a perspective viewofthepresentimprbved device showing the tabietmg orppaddmg ends of vsheets which are clamped by the device;

l27is a nperspective vievir of the device as viewed from vthe opposite y.side thereof; and

Fig. 3 is VanA enlarged perspective view `of a vportion of `the lclamping assembly embodied --in the device showing the .parts of the assembly in themon'-"zlaxnping positions ithere'of.

Reterringin'ow Ito the `drawings th'ere .iis lillus- .2 trated a `combined :she it tdbing :and punching idevice igene'rally lfeldesign'ated Pat iID comprising -:a EAbase IlI o'f igenerally 1reetalrigular 'coriguration Al'iaviri'g attached to ltlie `underside thereof "Ta 'pluii'rality ALof 'feet |12, preferably "formed Afof =rtibbr `or other lresei-lient material "whereby fthe `ideiice `iIIl may fb'e 'Fplace'd uponlthe 'topfsurface "of a imdesk nr t'able Without llscarlri'ng for `injuring the Zdesk `or tabletop.

iFor the purpose of Calligning Ia stack fofisheets of paper or other sheet material in 'a Ydeefr'ed position longitudinally of the base I'I, a frpair of Ilanged guide plates I3 (Fig. 2) are provided, each "of which `includes a depending Y-fian'ge I-a Idisposed parallel to J'the "edge IIJa `of 4the ibase yII and :preferably'in engagement with 'theedg'e lI lia. The hanged plates I3 also respectively 1include upwardly extending "end fl'anges 13b for engaging opposed edges of a stackpf sheet'sridisposed therebetween and generally .designated-fat I4 in the drawings; In order that the anged plates I3 may be Iadjustably `.r'iostioned clongi= tudinally of the -base `I-I, each plate `I3 is provided `with anelongated `slot I3c through `which -suitable clamping `screws I5, 4preferably `'of :the winge'dhe'ad typ'e, are extended to engage 'w'ith tapped openings I6 inthe Abase T I I. -Iheseta'pped `openings are disposed along `a `line parallel with "the edge I"IIa @and `in ralignment lwith "the As'jlct's [13e when `the flanges 43a are rin engagement with fthe end Ila of `the base YIlI. VCertain ef Tthe openings `I 6 iare Visible -in FigJZof thefdiawings.

vFor 4'the purpose of Aaligning the -s'hets ii-'n la 'stack fora tableting or punching foperatimftwb arms 30 are provided which are pivt'ally fmountedfat spaced'poin'ts 3l alongfthe'lcng fe'dge VTIIlrof Athe base -iI-I opposite :the edge fll a. 'These arms `3l) are adapted to`be 'moved to the jogging positions `shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings and effectively comprise jogging -i'neaiis or stops 1against which the sheets may be jogged 4to 'align the individual sheets in 'a uniformstack. "When `the sheets `have been properly stacked as shown in Fig. -1 Vof vthe drawings, the 1jogging 'arms r*30 may be pivot'ed to -the Vsolid line positions thereof Where they are completely out'ii "the Way nduring the adhesiveapplyingoperation or any ether-operation lwhich -is 1to be performed on vthe stack of sheets. It will `'be understood kthat 4in the Imaking iof pads or tablets orfin fa boerllzvindihg` operation the fstack of isheets fare fcl'am'ped, following 'which :glue lor adhesive fis applied to the edges of the sheets adjacent th'e Side llIb of the .base Il. When the fglu'e has dried, the sheets will be united "alongthei-gliied edges to for'm a tablet. i

In order :to provide-a `'suitable 'cutting surface above which "ai'stackof sheets -may be punched `or drilled, Ta recess -I'l is also provided along the edge IIb of the base II opposite the edge IIa for receiving a strip of material I8 which may be formed of any of the types of hardboard available on the market. One suitable hardboard for this purpose is generally referred to as Masonite. The top of the hardboard insert or strip I8 is preferably flush with the top of the base II, or is slightly raised above the base II, and the purpose thereof will become more apparent as the following description proceeds.

To guide and support the clamping head assembly described in full below, vertical guidel posts I9 are provided at opposite ends of the base II. These guide posts are disposed closely adjacent the ends of the base II and more closely adjacent the edge IIb than the edge IIa. They may be fastened to the base in any suitable manner, as for example by threading the ends thereof into tapped openings formed in the base.

Preferably, the guideposts are provided with ball-shaped tip portions I9a to prevent the clamping head assembly described below from sliding off the rods and also to provide a smooth upper surface so that an operator cannot be injured by coming into contact with the ends of the guide rods I9.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, a clamping head generally designated at is provided which is in the form of a rigid plate casting or the like having a central rib 26a for providinglongitudinal rigidity of the clamping head without unduly increasing the weight of the head. The clamping plate 2d includes end notches or recesses 2I, the purpose of which will become apparent from the'following description.

In order to support the clamping head 2Q for vertical movement on the guide rods I9, there is provided a resilient cross bar 22 of sufficient length to extend Ybeyond the space between the guide rods I9. This resilient bar 22 is provided with a pair of openings, spaced apart the same distance as the spacing between the guide rods I9, for receiving sleeves 22a therein, which sleeves in turn are adapted to receive therein the guide rods I9. Employment of the sleeves 22a tends to Y distance apart, to which the resilient cross bar 22 is fastened. With this arrangement, the'cross bar 22 only touches the clamping head 20 at Vtwo spaced points,namely the cross ribs 24, and consequently its resilience is not impaired by the rigid clamping head 22. Itis furthermore possible withthis arrangement to deflect the ends of the resilient cross barY 22 a substantial amount without theV ends engaging the clamping headZI. The notches 2I provided in the ends of the clamping head 29 are of sufficient width to permit the resilient cross bar to be deflected therein although a deflection'ofthis magnitude is notl ordinarilyanticipated.

For the purpose of locking the clamping'head in any predeterminedposition with respectv to the vertical guide rods I9, each end of the flexible cross bar has a curved locking leaf spring member 26 fastened thereto. One end of each leaf spring member 2B is rigidly fastened by suitable means such as a rivet 28 to the underside of the resilient cross bar 22, such that the free end of the curved leaf spring is normally disposed a substantial distance away from the associated end of the cross bar 22, in the manner clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. As best shown in Fig.' 3 of the drawings, each leaf spring 26 is provided with an opening 29 which is aligned with the bore of the associated sleeve 22a when the leaf spring 26 is deflected against the cross bar 22. When the leaf springs 29 occupy their normal flexed positions, however, wherein the free ends thereof are spaced from the cross bar 22, the openings 2 9 defined therein are no longer aligned with the openings in the sleeves 22a, but are so positioned that the edges thereof bitingly engage the guide posts I9. In other words, the inherent resilience of the springs 2S will cause suicient misalignment between the openings 29 in the springs 26 and the bores of the sleeves 22a, and consequent biting engagement of the edges of the openings 29 with the posts I9, tovlock the clamping head assembly in any desired predetermined position along the vertical guide rods I9.

From the above explanation it will be'understood that when a stack of sheets I4 is-disposed between the base II and the clamping head 20, the operator may merely press downwardly on each end of the resilient cross bar 22 to produce a substantially uniform clamping force throughout the effective area of the clamping head 2l) and the base I i. Upon release of the forces applied to the ends of the bar 22, the edges -of the openings 29 in the locking spring 26 bitingly engage the posts I9 to lock the clamping head 29 in the clamped position wherein the stack of sheets I4 is firmly held for the performance of any desired operation thereon. When it is desired to remove the stack of sheets from the device, all that is necessary is for the operator to grasp the free ends of the springs 26 and the ends of the bar 22 and squeeze the ends of the springs upwardly toward Vthe cross bar 22. This eifects'disengagement of the edges of the openings 29 from the posts I9 to free the clamping head assembly for elevation to any desired position. When the clamping head assembly is raised to the desired position, the locking springs 26 may be released to permit unflexing thereof, With the result that the edges of the openings 29 again bitingly engage the posts I9 to hold the assembly in the elevated position. As will be understood from Vthe above explanaf tion, the greater the downward pressure applied to the ends ofV thek cross bar 2 2,'the greater the clamping pressure applied through the clamping head 2U, and also the more firmly the clamping head is locked in the clamping position. Regard'- less of how great the pressure and howrmly the parts are locked in position, the pressure may be instantly released through the application of a smallrarnount of squeezing force'to the 'free' ends of the springs 25 and the ends of the rod 22;

vAlso by virtueof mounting the resilientcross bar 22 solely on the spacedY cross ribs 24 tolpermit'd'eflection of the bar about these ribs as pivot points, the applied pressure is more uniformly'distributed across `the stack of sheets to Yrninirnizertlie likelil hood of tilting theclamping'head assernblyso` as to clamp the stack of sheets .I4 along oneV side without clamping them along the other'side.

In usingthe device, it maybe'desired to punch a stack of sheetsl for ring binding instandar'd two and three ring binders. For this purpose the clamping head is provided with a plurality of openings designated at 32 which are preferably spaced so as to conform with the ring spacings of the rings in conventional two and three ring binders. A suitable hollow cutting punch, not shown, guided by one of the openings 32 may be used in punching a stack of shee-ts, with the hardboard insert I8 acting as a backing member for the cutting operation. If desired, the base ll may be provided with openings aligned with the openings 32 instead of the hardboard insert I8, although the latter has been found preferable since it avoids the requirement of careful alignment between the cooperating holes in the clamping head 20 and the base I I.

In view of the detailed description included above, the mode of using and operation of the combined sheet tabbing and punching device will be understood by those skilled in the art and no further discussion thereof is included herein. It will, however, be readily understood that a very simple and sturdy device is provided in which the desired clamping pressure may be applied to a stack of sheets merely by pressing on the projecting ends of the resilient cross bar 22. Moreover, the resilient cross bar 22 is automatically locked at the end of a clamping operation due to the action of the curved springs 2. Further, release of the clamping head 20 may be accomplished with little or no effort by merely moving the free ends of the curved springs 2S toward the cross bar 22` This is a natural operation on the part of the operator who merely engages the ends of the springs and the ends of the cross bar 22 with his thumb and index linger to force the curved springs 26 against the cross bar 22, In addition to the ease of operation of the present improved combined sheet tabbing and punching device, a simple and sturdy construction is provided which will give many years of foolproof service.

While a specific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific details and construction thereof herein illustrated, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A sheet clamping device, comprising a base, a rigid clamping head cooperable with said base to clamp sheet material therebetween and including a longitudinally extending top rib having a. pair of spaced cross ribs thereon, a pair of resilient guide rods extending up from said base. a resilient cross bar having openings for receiving said guide rods and guided for vertical movement by said guide rods, means for securing said cross bar to said cross ribs, whereby said cross bar is deformed about said cross ribs in response to the application of clamping forces to the ends of said cross bar, means for maintaining the ends of said cross bar substantially perpendicular to the adjacent portions of said guide rods. and means for locking the ends of said cross bar to said guide rods when said cross bar is deformed. thereby to maintain said head in clamping position against a stack of sheets held by said base.

2. In combination, a base, a pair of spaced resilient guide rods extending up from said base, a resilient cross bar substantially greater in length than the space between said guide rods and having openings therein for receiving said guide rods and guided for vertical movement by said guide rods, means for maintaining the ends of said cross bar substantially perpendicular relative to the adjacent portions of said guide rods, a rigid clamping head including a longitudinally extending rib having a pair of spaced cross ribs formed thereon, means for fastening said cross bar to said clamping head by engaging only said spaced cross ribs, a pair of curved leaf spring members one associated with each end of said cross bar and each including an opening for receiving the associated guide rod, the inherent resilience of said spring members causing the free ends of said spring members and the ends of said cross bar normally to be spaced from each other, whereby said spring members serve as locking means for locking said clamping head in any position on said rods including the portions of said cross bar extending beyond said guide rods for applying a force to said clamping head to clamp a stack of sheets between said base and said head.

3. In combination, a base, a pair of spaced resilient guide rods extending up from said base, a resilient cross bar substantially greater in length than the space between said guide rods having openings therein for receiving said guide rods and guided for vertical movement by said guide rods, means for maintaining the ends of said cross bar substantially perpendicular to the adjacent portions of said guide rods, a rigid clamping head including a. longitudinally extending rib having a pair of spaced cross ribs, of substantial height formed thereon, means for fastening said cross bar to said clamping head by engaging only said spaced cross ribs, whereby said cross bar is spaced a substantial distance from said longitudinally extending rib and said clamping head, a pair of curved leaf spring members one associated with each end of said cross bar and each including an opening for receiving the associated guide rod, the inherent resilience of said spring members causing the free ends of said spring members and the ends of said cross bar normally to be spaced from each other, whereby said spring members serve as locking means for locking said clamping head in any position on said rods including a clamping position, and means including the portions of said cross bar extending beyond said guide rods for applying a force to said clamping head to clamp a, stack of sheets between said base and said head.

WAYNE F. GOUDIE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 796,346 McBee Aug. 1, 1905 860,816 Marcum July 23, 1907 943,094 McBee Dec. 14, 1909 1,049,090 Hoeft Dec. 31, 1912 1,468,705 Hand et al. Sept. 25, 1923 1,631,209 Jewell June 7, 1927 1,693,242 Loewenback Nov. 27, 1928 1,721,503 Priess July 23, 1929 2,208,480 Smith July 16, 1940 2,428,201 Cannarili Sept. 30, 1947 

